Cherry Trees
Cherries are very hardy trees but most require adequate sun to enable the fruit to ripen. A sheltered, sunny, south facing site is best for most varieties. Acid cherries such as Morello will tolerate some shade and are suitable for training as fans against north facing walls. Cherries prefer slightly acidic, well-drained light soils.
They are easy to grow in a domestic garden, are relatively trouble free, and have the added bonus of beautiful blossom in Spring. In areas prone to late frosts protect the blossom with horticultural fleece, but remember to remove it during the day to allow access to pollinating insects. The fruit will also need protection from hungry birds!
Lapins Cherokee
A large dark red eating Cherry. Vigorous and a heavy cropper. Some resistance to canker.
Recommended.
Eat
Eat/cook
Late July
Pick
Yes
Self-fertile?
Morello
A large dark red cooking Cherry. Very hardy and reliable. Good for north-facing walls.
Resistant to canker. AGM. Recommended.
Cook
Eat/cook
Late July
Pick
Yes
Self-fertile?
Apple
Damson
Plum
Pear
Cherry
Gage
Stella
Large dark red fruit with good flavour. A reliable cropper.
AGM.
Eat/cook
Pick
Self-fertile?
Eat
Late July
Yes
Sunburst
A large sweet dark red Cherry with good flavour.
Good cropper.
Eat/cook
Pick
Self-fertile?
Eat
Late July
Yes
Sweetheart
A later cropping variety.
Good flavoursome eating Cherry.
Eat/cook
Pick
Self-fertile?
Eat
Late Aug
Yes
Summer Sun
Very hardy. The fruits are red to dark red and firm with good flavour.
Semi self-fertile, pollinated by Lapins Cherokee, Stella and Sunburst.
Eat/cook
Pick
Self-fertile?
Eat
Late July
No
Notes
Trees are supplied bare rooted during their dormant season (usually from mid-November to the end of March depending on the weather). It is recommended that bare root trees are planted within a day or two of arrival but they may be stored for longer in a cool place or 'heeled' in to a mound or pot of compost until you are ready for planting. Don't allow the roots to dry out or freeze - wrap in hessian or other insulating material if necessary. Soak the roots before planting and water in well.
AGM - The Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps home gardeners make informed choices about plants. It is only awarded to a plant that meets the following criteria:
- Outstanding excellence for ordinary garden decoration or use
- Good constitution
- Does not require highly specialist growing conditions or care
- Not particularly susceptible to any pest or disease
Rootstocks
Semi-vigorous (Ultimate height 3 – 3.5m) –Colt
Dwarf (Ultimate height 2 - 2.5m) - Gisela 5
Specification
Maiden (mdn) – 1 yr old tree 1 to 2m in height; may be feathered depending on variety and root
Bush (bush) – well-formed head on a clean stem, 2 years old
Half Standard (hst) – Clear stem of 1m supporting a well branched head, 2-3 years old
Standard (std) - Clear stem of 1.75m supporting a well branched head, 2-3 years old
Pollination
You will need a tree (of a different variety) to cross-pollinate with, for those trees which are not self-fertile. The cross-pollinator should belong to a pollination group the same or either side of the tree to be pollinated (i.e. for a C1 you would need a C2; for a C2 a C1, C2 or C3 would be required).
Let us help you make the most of your garden!
Bennybeg Plant Centre
Muthill Road, Crieff, Perthshire, PH7 4HN
Tel. 01764 656345
Bennybeg Plant Centre is an independent garden centre near
Crieff, Perthshire, run by people who are passionate about plants.
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